Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Maryland Unemployment Rate Drops to 7.2 Percent, 3,100 New Jobs Created During October

Unemployment rate improves 0.2 percentage points

Fourth straight month of over-the-year growth

13,000 additional Marylanders working; 3,000 fewer unemployed

20,400 jobs created since January - 19,200 in private sector

BALTIMORE, MD (November 22, 2011) - Maryland's unemployment rate improved to 7.2 percent in October,
a 0.2 percentage point drop. The state's unemployment rate is 1.8 percentage points better than the
national average and among the lowest in the nation. Data released today by the U.S. Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics also showed that Maryland added 3,100 jobs in October, including 1,900 in the
private sector. Since October 2010, Maryland has added 9,700 jobs, the fourth straight month of
over-the-year growth.

"Maryland continues to make progress toward recovery. During October, 13,000 additional Marylanders
started working, our unemployment rate improved 0.2 percentage points and our employers added 3,100
jobs," said Maryland Labor Secretary Alexander M. Sanchez. "This month's report supports the evidence
that Maryland is an economic leader and among the best states to do business. Still, we must protect our
investments in skills training and maintain our status as one of the best positioned states to recover
quickly and sustainably."

Maryland added jobs in most supersectors during October, including 2,100 jobs in
Trade/Transportation/Utilities, 1,500 in Finance and 1,400 in Educational and Health Care/Social
Assistance. State and local governments added 2,300 jobs. Since the start of the year, Maryland has
added 20,400 jobs - the strongest January to October growth on record since 2005.

Nearly 13,000 additional Marylanders were working in October than in September and 3,000 fewer were
unemployed. Since October 2010, more than 17,600 additional Marylanders are employed and more than
3,700 fewer are unemployed.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Maryland and US
October 2010 through October 2011

MD

US

Oct 10

7.4%

9.7%

Nov

7.4%

9.8%

Dec

7.4%

9.4%

Jan 11

7.2%

9.0%

Feb

7.1%

8.9%

Mar

6.9%

8.8%

Apr

6.8%

9.0%

May

6.8%

9.1%

June

7.0%

9.2%

July

7.1%

9.1%

Aug

7.3%

9.1%

Sept

7.4%

9.1%

Oct

7.2%

9.0%

The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation protects and
empowers Marylanders by safeguarding workers, protecting
consumers, providing a safety net and cultivating a thriving
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